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Provenance

Sophie Sampliner, New York.
By descent to the present owner.

Pre-Lot Text

Christie's is delighted to offer a selection of paintings, works on paper and sculpture from the Estate of Joan S. Ben-Avi for sale this spring. Many were originally collected by Joan's parents, Paul and Sophie Sampliner, from the 1950s to the 1970s. These beloved works of art then passed by descent to their daughter, the late Joan Ben-Avi, thus gracing the homes of two generations.

Paul Sampliner was an organizing founder of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai Brith and served on its national commission for 24 years. He was a member of the New York City Anti-Crime Commission and the New York State Commission Against Discrimination. Sampliner was also a co-founder of National Periodicals Publications and the founder and President of the Independent News Company. From 1937 to 1967 he was co-owner of the famed DC Comics.

His daughter Joan was a strong and fiercely independent woman who was an avid reader and an art lover with an innate sense of aesthetics and style. She was a true intellectual and interested in a great variety of subjects. She and her husband traveled widely during their 36 year marriage; their voyages were mostly concentrated in Europe and the Sampliners often joined them. Much of their mutual art collection was acquired during these trips.